Will replacing bad ball joints help tighten up my steering?

Breto31

Breto31

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 30, 2020
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398
Location
Kentucky
Will replacing my (bad) ball joints help tighten up my steering? Just curious.

Took my 05 in to have some work done and the shop said I have 4 bad ball joints and need to replace them - then they can align it... Steering has been a little loose since I bought, but nothing crazy or unsafe feeling.
 
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If these track rod end ball joints are the chaps that you mean then wear in 4 of them would give "loose steering" and make accurate alignment impossible.
 
Shropshirewrangler said:
View attachment 230602
If these track rod end ball joints are the chaps that you mean then wear in 4 of them would give "loose steering" and make accurate alignment impossible.
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I’m assuming that’s the right item. I took it in to have a control put on (I completed 3/4 of them myself and had to take the last one in to the shop), and they were checking my pinion angles and everything for me.... Told me I needed 4 new balls joints before they could align it.
 
Breto31 said:
Will replacing my (bad) ball joints help tighten up my steering? Just curious.

Took my 05 in to have some work done and the shop said I have 4 bad ball joints and need to replace them - then they can align it... Steering has been a little loose since I bought, but nothing crazy or unsafe feeling.
Click to expand...
Usually when a shop refers to ball joints they are talking about the 2 ball joints on each side that connects the axle to the wheel assembly, and yes bad joints will affect steering and handling
 
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I don’t know much about anything, but I would guess this is what the shop is referring to. ignore the arrows

Treed by the two post above...

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if your willing you can change them yourself. there is a u-joint/ ball joint press you can borrow from most big parts stores that makes it a easy job to do. it will save you lots of money. and get 2 pieces of 3 ft angle iron and you can align the front end yourself too, with a tape measure
 
1o1proof said:
I don’t know much about anything, but I would guess this is what the shop is referring to. ignore the arrows

Treed by the two post above...

View attachment 230684
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This is correct - they specifically said ball joints. I just didn’t know if once I replaced them, the steering would tighten up some. It’s not bad now, but my tires can’t be aligned, and there’s a little play in the wheel.

Edit: and it sounds like this will help tighten it up, so that’s good news!
 
Breto31 said:
This is correct - they specifically said ball joints. I just didn’t know if once I replaced them, the steering would tighten up some. It’s not bad now, but my tires can’t be aligned, and there’s a little play in the wheel.
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yes it will tighten up if their worn !
 
I wouldn't pay anybody to align your Jeep for you, I put a new steering setup in last year and got to within 0.05 degrees of the spec with a tape measure on bald tires. It isn't hard to do and there are good threads on here about it
 
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jordans05tj said:
I wouldn't pay anybody to align your Jeep for you, I put a new steering setup in last year and got to within 0.05 degrees of the spec with a tape measure on bald tires. It isn't hard to do and there are good threads on here about it
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Not questioning you as I also align myself...but if you didn’t take it to a shop how did you determine you were within .05* of spec?
 
Show me a TJ front end that needs all 4 ball joints and I’ll show you one that likely needs hub unit bearings, axle u joints, tie rod ends, track bar bushings/track bar, grease and alignment. And it likely has ruined the tires.

I’m not saying it’s all bad , but it needs a thorough look.
 
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This is a DIY most people can tackle on their own, if they have done some wrenching. Something you should get used to doing anyways on a TJ. You can get Spicer Ball joints for just over $100 on Amazon, and you will need the TJ Ball Joint coupler kit off Amazon as well for another $30. Your local auto parts store will rent you the ball joint press. It will also have couplers, but not the exact TJ ones - trust me you will save a ton of time with these. I just replaced all my ball joints, axle u-joints, and hubs a few weekends ago in about 6 hours. You will also need a 1/2" breaker bar and torque wrench that goes up to 175 for the axle nut. PB blast everything a few days before. There are tons of tutorials online. Sounds scary but it's not.

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Nomaybes said:
Not questioning you as I also align myself...but if you didn’t take it to a shop how did you determine you were within .05* of spec?
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Because I didn't know any better at the time, it would've been fine but I took it to a shop anyway. I'm speaking from experience don't waste money like me lol
 
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Try and get the press with the Jeep adapter too if you can. Not completely necessary but the cup is slightly angled and does make the job easier.
 
AndyG said:
Show me a TJ front end that needs all 4 ball joints and I’ll show you one that likely needs hub unit bearings, axle u joints, tie rod ends, track bar bushings/track bar, grease and alignment. And it likely has ruined the tires.

I’m not saying it’s all bad , but it needs a thorough look.
Click to expand...

Let's hope this isn't the case. It's a 15 year-old Jeep, so I wouldn't be surprised. Overall, everything seems to be fine aside from the steering being slightly loose, so maybe this will fix it. It's at the shop now having these put on. Could I do it myself? Maybe... But at this point, time is money, and the shop cut me a pretty decent deal (IMO) on it (~$350) for parts and labor. I'll keep you guys updated.
 
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